Regulations governing the use of University library and computer room/area
facilities and services
Contents
1.
Scope of regulations ...................................................................................................... 1
2.
Conformance with legislation ........................................................................................... 1
3.
Borrower categories ....................................................................................................... 2
4.
Borrowing regulations .................................................................................................... 3
5.
Conduct within libraries and computer rooms/areas ............................................................ 4
6.
Infringement and enforcement ........................................................................................ 6
1. Scope of regulations
1. These regulations apply to all library and computer room services and facilities including library
resources accessed electronically via the University network from on or off campus. Any
exceptions to regulations that relate to specific areas will be indicated in the particular library
and/or computer room/area.
2. These regulations are subject to alteration without notice. Any amendments will be displayed on
www.nottingham.ac.uk/library and http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/itservices/index.aspx.
3. You must comply with these regulations. Failure to comply may be a disciplinary offence which
will be dealt with under University disciplinary procedures. Certain breaches of these regulations
may also constitute civil or criminal offences and could lead to separate legal action.
4. Readers of materials in Manuscripts and Special Collections are registered for such access
and sign their agreement to specific regulations controlling use. Details may be found on the
Manuscripts and Special Collections website:
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/manuscriptsandspecialcollections/readingroom/regulatio
ns.aspx
2. Conformance with legislation
a. Use of library and computer room facilities must conform to the requirements of the:
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Data Protection Act (1998)
Human Rights Act (1998)
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act (1988)
Computer Misuse Act (1990)
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

Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations (2003)
Freedom of Information Act (2000)
and all other relevant legislation.
b. Users of the University Computing Facilities must comply with the Code of Practice for
Users of the University Computing Facilities available at:
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/is/documents/about/codeofpracticeforuniversitycomputing
facilities.pdf
c. Your access to and use of electronic resources may be subject to contractual
arrangements and licences with vendors. These may limit the:
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Categories of persons who may use them
Number of simultaneous users
Locations from which networked services are permitted
All users of electronic resources must comply with the conditions of contracts and/or licences
associated with the resources. The following particular restrictions must be respected at all times:
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Copyright restrictions
Download limits
Re-transmission of copyright material
Electronic storage of material
The integrity of rights-management information
Unless otherwise stated explicitly in the terms and conditions for a particular resource or service,
subscription-based electronic resources are provided for personal, educational use only. Any
commercial uses by an individual, or for other persons (connected or not to the University of
Nottingham), are strictly forbidden.
3. Borrower categories
You are advised to carry your University Card or Library Card with you at all times.
You are eligible to use and borrow from the library, on completion of the appropriate application
process, if you are:
a. A member of academic or academic-related staff (including retired members, and Clinical
Teachers)
b. A student registered for a higher degree by research (Ph.D. and M.Phil.)
c. A student registered for other higher degrees for those diplomas and certificates
awarded by the Board of Postgraduate Studies
d. A student registered for a first degree or other degree, diploma or certificate awarded by
the Board of Undergraduate Studies
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e. A student registered with the School of Education for Continuing Education modular
courses
f.
A student registered with the University of Nottingham International College
g. A member of clerical, technical, manual and ancillary staff employed by the University,
or staff of the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the Nottinghamshire
Healthcare NHS Trust
h. A member of Court or Council
i.
A member of the academic staff of the Affiliated Institutions of the University of
Nottingham or of other institutions of higher education with which reciprocal
arrangements have been agreed
j.
A teacher in a partner school with the University of Nottingham School of Education, on
presentation of the appropriate partner school form
k. A member of the SCONUL Access scheme, where appropriate
l.
An NHS staff member from Trusts with whom we have a formal access agreement
m. An individual who has a formal association with the University but is not on the
University payroll.
Graduates, persons holding higher degrees of the University, and other persons engaged upon a
serious course of study may use libraries under the following conditions:
n. Persons holding first or higher degrees of the University may use libraries for reading
purposes. If they wish to borrow they may normally do so upon payment of the
appropriate fee.
o. Students of the Affiliated Institutions of the University of Nottingham may use libraries
for reference only and must apply for visitor cards.
Persons other than the above who wish to use libraries in connection with specialist needs that cannot
be met elsewhere will normally be permitted to borrow, at the discretion of the Director of Libraries,
Research and Learning Resources or designate, upon payment of the appropriate fee.
4. Borrowing regulations
Borrowing regulations, including loan entitlements, loan periods and fines rates are recommended and
published by the Director of Libraries, Research and Learning Resources. Details of lending services
including current loan entitlements are displayed on the library website at
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/library/libraries/using/borrow.aspx
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a. You may not remove an item from a library until the loan has been correctly recorded
b. Any item may be designated for reference only and may not be borrowed without
express permission
c. Some journals may be borrowed by specified categories of user. The most recent issues
may not be borrowed. You are required to abide by the decision of the Director of
Libraries, Research and Learning Resources on access to journals
d. You are held responsible for all books or other items borrowed or signed for against your
card until they are returned by correct methods and the loan discharged
e. You should not lend your card to anyone to allow them to gain access to your library
account. Reasonable care should be taken to prevent the card being misused. You should
not disclose your PIN number and you should change it from the default PIN as soon as
possible to keep it secure
f.
You can ask about activity on your own library record. The University may disclose
account information to some authorities as allowed by legislation, eg in the case of
suspected criminal activity. However, under normal circumstances, information about
your library account cannot be disclosed to a third party without your express permission
g. You will be required to return any item borrowed after one week, if it is needed by
another user or for another purpose
h. You must return items by the date and time stipulated. An overdue charge per day or
part day will be imposed if a book or other item is not returned by that date and time
i.
You must report any loss or damage of a book or other item to a member of library staff.
You may be required to replace the item, or to pay such a sum as may be needed to
make good the loss or damage plus an administration charge. In addition, in serious
cases, disciplinary action may be taken.
j.
If you fail to return an item, you will ultimately be issued with an invoice for the
replacement cost, plus administration charges.
Failure to observe any of the above borrowing regulations will be treated seriously. The Director of
Libraries, Research and Learning Resources or designate is empowered to withhold access to the use of
facilities and services because of infringement of the regulations or to take other appropriate action.
5. Conduct within libraries and computer rooms/areas
To provide an environment conducive to study and learning, you are requested to comply with the
following responsibilities.
Users of the libraries and computer rooms/areas are requested to behave courteously and
with respect to other users and staff at all times. Disturbance of other users and staff will be
treated seriously.
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You should:
a. Refrain from violent, indecent, disorderly, threatening, intimidating or offensive
behaviour or language.
b. Treat all property with respect:
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Any theft or attempted theft of University property or other user’s property will be treated
seriously
Writing or scoring in or causing damage to any book, journal or other item is strictly
forbidden. Anyone damaging material in any way may be required to replace the damaged
item with a new copy
Tampering with or causing damage to any computer or other equipment is strictly forbidden.
Anyone damaging equipment may be required to replace the damaged item
c. Refrain from smoking in or near the libraries. The University has a no smoking policy
which should be observed at all times.
d. Refrain from drinking alcohol.
e. Vacate the premises at closing times and when asked to by a member of University staff
or representative.
f.
Show your University card or Library Card to any member of University staff or their
representative on request.
g. Observe noise restrictions in designated areas, especially in the silent study areas of the
libraries. Noise should be kept to a minimum in all other areas. If you are disturbed by a
breach of this regulation you should inform staff as they may be able to help.
h. Refrain from reserving individual open access work spaces. Items left in a study space
for a length of time may be removed by staff in order to free up space for other users.
i.
Refrain from consuming hot food, except in refreshment areas. In some designated
areas, no food or drink is allowed, except bottled water. These areas will be clearly
signposted at the entrance to the floor/area. In other areas, hot and cold drinks and cold
food are allowed, but consumption should not cause disturbance to others.
j.
Switch mobile phones to silent or vibrate mode and keep conversations to a minimum to
avoid disturbing others. Mobile phones should never be used for conversations in silent
study areas.
k. Borrow room keys from the lending desk or designated library service point and return
them after use. Vacate rooms in a timely manner. Fines will be payable for late or nonreturn of keys.
l.
Refrain from placing posters, signs, adverts or notices on any surface other than
authorised notice boards.
Failure to comply with these responsibilities will be treated seriously and will result in
action being taken in accordance with procedures stated in section 6 of this document,
which may include disciplinary action.
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In addition, you are expected to:
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Clear study spaces after use in order to leave them tidy for the next user.
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Look after personal belongings that you bring into buildings. You are responsible for the safety
and security of your equipment. The University does not accept responsibility for loss or
damage to personal belongings.
Failure to comply with these responsibilities, whilst not resulting in direct action, will cause
inconvenience to other users.
6. Infringement and enforcement
1. The Director of Libraries, Research and Learning Resources and the Chief Information Officer
are responsible for maintaining order in libraries and computer rooms. In the case of disorderly
or improper conduct, the Director of Libraries, Research and Learning Resources, the Chief
Information Officer, a designate, or any member of staff or other persons authorised for the
purpose, may require you to withdraw from the building and may withhold the use of the
facilities and services. Other immediate sanctions may include library fines and administrative
charges (up to a maximum of £150).
a. Infringement of these regulations may result in disciplinary action in accordance with the
University disciplinary procedures. Infringement may also result in the use of facilities
and services being withheld, fines and administrative charges being incurred and/or
direct contact with Academic Schools about your behaviour.
b. With regard to students, the Director of Libraries, Research and Learning Resources or
the Chief Information Officer or designate are empowered to deal summarily with alleged
breaches of these regulations. When an alleged breach of these regulations appears to
call for a penalty greater than or different from those allowed summarily, the Director of
Libraries, Research and Learning Resources or the Chief Information Officer will refer the
case to the University Assessor.
Students are also required to observe the Code of Discipline for Students, which can be found at:
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/governance/documents/code-of-discipline.pdf
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